Living Without You
Part 14
Sorry it took me so long to write a new chapter it just seemed that a lot of things went wrong, but now I have a renewed spirit and I'm not going to let the bad things get me down.
Reviews are appreciated and greatly received, your reviews are what keep me writing
Ryan woke up the next morning to find Kelsi looking out the window staring at the sunrise, he stood up quietly and wrapped his arms around her kissing her neck softly
"Good morning," he breathed against her neck. Kelsi felt the familiar shiver run up her spine and leaned against him.
"Good morning," she smiled as she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck
"So I was thinking we could call the gang, have breakfast with them, and then let them know what we're doing" Ryan smiled. Kelsi took a deep breath and looked into Ryan's eyes "Everything okay?" he asked concerned that maybe Kelsi was having second thoughts
"I'm all right," she sighed "I just wish my parents could be here for this"
"Why don't you call your mom?" Ryan asked looking deep into her eyes
"What call my mom and tell her 'hey mom I was just wondering what you're doing today cause you're one and only daughter is getting married.' She'll flip her lid Ryan" Kelsi argued
"I'm sure she wont" Ryan laughed
"Oh, I'm sure she will" Kelsi laughed "It's not only her it's my dad. I've always wanted him to walk me down the aisle, and now he wont even talk to me I doubt he's going to give me away"
"Kelsi," Ryan said lifting her chin so that she was looking at him "Just call them, or I will" he joked. Kelsi gave Ryan a kiss on the cheek and sighed
"I just don't think I should" Kelsi said grabbing her bag and going into the bathroom. Ryan watched her walk off and shook his head, he would have to do something to make things right between Kelsi and her parents. He looked over at the small table in their room, and grabbed his phone dialing up the first number on his list Sharpay, he sat down and tapped his fingers on the table until after the fifth ring she finally picked up
"Someone better be dead" she moaned as she answered
"Hey sis" he said in a cheer full manner
"Ryan, where are you? Mom said you and Kelsi checked into a Motel 6 which I must say is very un-Evans like." Sharpay rambled fully awake
"We're fine," Ryan laughed. "I just wanted to ask you to breakfast later, ya know I thought the whole gang could get together before I leave again"
"Sounds great, what time?" Sharpay said as she stifled a yawn
"Ten should be good, At Eppies diner on Cleveland?" Ryan asked
"Sure, I'll see you then. Love ya" Sharpay smiled
"You too," Ryan finished as he hung up. After calling the rest of the gang Ryan glanced at his cell phone and at one particular number "She should be there," he argued to himself "It just wouldn't be right if she wasn't." He debated for a little while longer before finally hitting the green button.
"Good morning," the cheer full voice greeted him.
After taking a very hot shower, Kelsi stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed and in a pleasant mood as she saw Ryan sitting on the bed flipping through the yellow pages
"Feel better?" Ryan asked
"Much" she answered sitting down next to him "So you call the gang?" she asked
"Yep, we're meeting at Eppies at 10. I haven't told them why yet" he smiled finding what he was looking for "Here we go!" He exclaimed
"What?" She asked looking at the page and seeing he had it open to formal wear
"Well, I figured we could get some nice clothes to wear for today. What do you think?" he asked
"Yeah, it's just I cant afford any thing all my money has gone to getting New York Ryan" she sighed
"Hey that's what I'm here for, don't worry" he smiled kissing her on the cheek "I going to go take a shower then we'll head to meet the others" Ryan finished heading towards the bathroom.
Not too long afterward, Ryan and Kelsi were sitting on a bench outside the restaurant waiting for the others to show up.
"You think they'll be mad at us?" Kelsi asked holding onto Ryan's hand tightly
"I think they'd be more upset if we didn't invite them Kels" Ryan laughed. As if on cue the first car pulled up and it was Troy's poor truck. He jumped out of the drivers seat, and walked around to let Gabriella out
"Hey guys" Troy said walking towards them and giving Ryan a handshake, and Kelsi a hug "Where are the others? I'm starving." Next to pull up were Chad and Taylor followed by Zeke Martha and Jason all in Martha's car. They all greeted each other and Sharpay finally pulled up in her pink convertible, she gave Ryan and Kelsi long lingering hugs, and took Kelsi's arm and Ryan's hand as they walked inside and got a table for their big party.
"So you ready to head back?" Chad asked as he took a sip of his coffee
"Yes I am." Ryan smiled as he poured his tea into a cup
"Well it wont be too long before you're back right?" Martha asked
"Yeah, I got a letter the other day saying I was accepted into the armor infantry so I'll get some time off before I have to report to Kentucky" Ryan said. They all gave him a confusing look "It has a lot to do with tanks so I'll be working in one it's kind of cool as long as you're not claustrophobic" he laughed, and they all lightened up. As they all made their orders Ryan gave Kelsi a look as if to ask whether they should make their announcement or not and she nodded, so Ryan cleared his throat to get their attention "Guys we have an announcement to make" he said as they all turned to him
"Well the reason we called you guys out here is because we're getting married today." Kelsi rambeled almost dreading the words coming out of her mouth
"You're what?!?!?" Sharpay almost yelled, which made Kelsi jump. She knew at least she would reaact that way
"We're getting married." Ryan clarified stepping in for Kelsi
"That's great" Gabriella smiled "When are you guys doing it?" She asked
"Well hopefully after breakfast, we wanted to let you guys know cause we wanted you to be there." Ryan smiled
"Of course we'll be there." Taylor said giving Kelsi a sideways hug
"Good," Kelsi said "Cause I want you girls to stand up for me"
"You mean like be your bridesmaids?" Sharpay asked
"Well..yes I wouldn't have it any other way," Kelsi smiled. The boys all watched as the girls squealed, and started going over their plans. They all glanced back at Ryan, who watched Kelsi with an amused smiled
"So what about you Evans?" Troy asked getting Ryan's attention. "Your last hours as a free man how you feeling?"
"I feel great!" Ryan smiled and took another sip off of his tea
An hour later
"Spend whatever you want to, the guys and I are going down the street" Ryan said handing Kelsi his credit card outside of the dress shop
"Are you sure?" Kelsi asked looking down at the plastic in her hands. "I mean I don't want to do something that could end badly later"
"Don't worry it's my money, and I can spend it on whomever I want to" Ryan said giving her a kiss on top of her forehead. "Besides if Sharpay has anything to say you'll have the most expensive dress in there" he joked
"Okay" Kelsi said almost reluctantly "I'll see you in a bit." She kissed him chastely, and headed inside with the girls who had already picked out three dresses each thrusted them in Kelsi's arms. She smiled as the girls pushed her into a dressing room. After trying about a million dresses on Kelsi finally picked one out, and was helping the others pick out dresses, Sharpay had just come out of the dressing room wearing a long pink gown when someone tapped Kelsi on the shoulder and she turned around to see her standing there
"Hello honey" DeAnna said embracing her daughter in a hug
"Mom?" Kelsi stuttered out "What are you doing here?"
"Well I received a call from Ryan this morning, and he had something interesting to tell me." She smiled placing a strand of hair behind Kelsi's ear lovingly
"Mom....I know we're young but I love Ryan, and I want to do this" Kelsi mumbled hanging her head and staring at her shoes
"I know you do honey, and that's why I'm here." DeAnna said putting her finger to Kelsi's chin lifting her head to look at her
"I take it dad isn't coming?" Kelsi asked looking behind her mom to see if her dad was hiding
"I'm sorry honey, I tried to get him to come but he wouldn't listen." She answered
"I figured he wouldn't," Kelsi said fighting back tears. "It's only the most important day of my life."
DeAnna saw the hurt in her daughter's eyes, and took her to an out of the way spot in the shop and let her cry
"Why does he do this mom?" Kelsi asked as she dabbed her eyes
"He loves you honey, it's just hard for him to realize that he is losing his daughter. He loves Ryan he thinks that he's the best thing to ever happen to you, but ever since you were attacked it made him realize that you're not his little girl anymore and he's having a hard time dealing with that" Deanna answered rubbing her daughter's shoulder as she cried
"Of course I'm not a little girl anymore," Kelsi stood up anger washing over her. "I'm a grown woman who is going off to college I'm allowed to make my own decisions and do whatever makes me happy"
"I think that's what scares him the most Kelsi" DeAnna answered
"Well that's his problem, today is about me and I'm not going to let him get me down." Kelsi composed herself as best as she could, and looked her mom dead in the eyes. DeAnna smiled at her daughter's confidence, and stood up to take her hands
"I think that would be all he wants, even though he's not fully aware of it right now." She hugged her daughter tightly, and saw the girls hiding behind a rack of clothes. "It's okay girls"
The girls came up and embraced Kelsi in a group hug
"Come on girl," Taylor said letting go first. "We have a wedding to get ready for"
And with that the girls finally paid for their things, and were out the door. They were all gabbing about what to do with Kelsi's hair and make-up, when the guys approached them
"All done?" Ryan asked going up to Kelsi and giving her a peck on the cheek, he glanced up and DeAnna and gave her a knowing smile.
"Just about" Kelsi answered, as she put her hand in his and continued over to his car. "The girls want to take me to some salon and get my hair done, I think they're just stalling things" she laughed
"Well that's fine with me," Ryan said pulling her into his arms "I want to make sure you get pampered like the princess you are." As they parted ways again Kelsi was left with just Sharpay and her mother in the back of a salon getting her nails done, as the others were distracted by getting their own nails done
"Have you written any vows?" Sharpay asked as she picked out a pink polish for her toes
"Vows?!?!?" Kelsi asked her eyes as wide as saucers. "I didn't even think about that"
"I'm sure Ryan hasn't even thought of any" Sharpay said trying to reassure her small friend
"Yeah honey" DeAnna said putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Kelsi eased into that thought but it still plagued the back of her head, she wanted this day to be as romantic as possible but every time she thought of something to say it turned out cheesy, finally an idea struck her and she reached into her purse for a pen and paper to begin writing down vows
East High School
The boys drove up in separate cars and all got out looking at Ryan
"What are we doing here?" Zeke asked checking out his old high school
"I figured we could hang out here for a while, you know a lot of us wont be here that much longer, and I was just being sentimental" Ryan blushed
"Perfect! I think my dad is still here anyway, maybe he could let us into the gym and we can play some basket ball." Troy said heading towards the gym
"You guys go ahead, I'll catch up" Ryan said hanging behind. The gym wasn't his ideal place to hang out, there was one place in particular he wanted to go. He made his way through the campus noting pictures on the wall from various shows he and Sharpay had participated in. He finally stood in front of an all to familiar door with the ever present mannequin dressed up in a silly costume. Knowing she would be there he opened the door up and saw the familiar face sitting on her throne sipping tea
"Mr. Evans" Ms. Darbus said almost choking on her tea "What are you doing here? And what have you done with your hair?"
"I joined the army" Ryan said taking a seat
"Now why did you go and do that? I was under the impression that Julliard was where you wanted to be" Ms. Darbus said giving a sad smile
"Well you know my father Ms. D. He wasn't proud of me, and I wanted to do something to prove myself" Ryan shot back
"Yes I do know your father Mr. Evans, and I know that no matter what you do he's proud of you." She soothed
"Well, I'm not even sure he would agree with you" Ryan sighed "He never approved of what I do, or who I see"
"Ryan" Ms. Darbus said adopting a serious tone "I can tell you one thing that is for certain, fathers love their sons as much as sons love their fathers. Whatever your dad is going through right now I'm sure it's nothing personal. Don't let anything anyone says to you get to you. You're a talented young man, probably the most talented person I've known in my life." Ryan smiled at the older lady and in her own little way Ms. Darbus had always known how to instill hope and courage in him.
"Thank you Ms. Darbus," Ryan said smiling at his former teacher
"You know I think now that we're both adults its okay to call me Alyson" she smiled
"Thanks Alyson," Ryan blushed. It was weird to call the teacher that inspired him deeply to call her by her first name. "Alyson can I ask you a question?"
"Sure what is it?" The older lady asked as she felt herself brighten up
"What are you doing later?" Ryan asked. A while after Ryan hugged his teacher goodbye and went off in search of the others, remembering them saying something about the gym he headed in there to find them in a heated game of two on two. He laughed as Troy blocked a jump shot from Chad and caught the ball as it came bouncing towards him "Having fun?" he asked throwing the ball back to Troy
"Yeah come and join," Troy said throwing the ball back at him
"Nah, I think I'll just sit this one out." Ryan said throwing the ball to Troy and sitting down on the bench
"Come on now Evans" Jack Bolton said as he entered the gym in his gym clothes "You're getting married the least you can do is play a quick pick up game before you go and do something silly." Ryan knew that they were goading him into playing, and it worked "Come on I got an extra gym suit in my office" Jack said hoping to convince him
"All right" Ryan said as he went in the back to get changed. He came out ready to play. It was a good game, it was Coach Bolton, Chad and himself versus Troy, Zeke, and Jason and it was all tied up until Ryan had stolen the ball from Jason, and made the last point
"Not bad Evans" Jack smiled patting the young man on the back. "I could of used you this past year, why didn't you try out?" he asked as he grabbed several waters out of his office and handed them to the boys
"Oh well you know," Ryan said blushing "The drama department took up a lot of my time"
"Well, you're a heck of a player, and I know that you'll be a heck of a husband to Kelsi. Just don't forget to treat her with dignity and respect, and never let the little things get in the way of true happiness" Jack said putting a hand on his shoulder
"Thank you Coach Bolton" Ryan smiled. He looked down at his watch and noticed it was almost 3 o' clock. He went and got his cell phone out of his street clothes and dialed up Kelsi's number, after the third ring a voice he didn't expect answered instead of Kelsi "Sharpay?" He asked dumbfounded
"Yeah it's me little brother, Kelsi is getting a facial right now she cant really talk" Sharpay answered
"Well we're going to get a quick shower here, and then we should be heading over to the courthouse. How much longer you going to be there?" Ryan asked
"Kelsi is just getting the finishing touches done on her hair, and we'll be heading there as soon as she's through." Sharpay answered seeing that Kelsi was getting the mask taken off of her face
"Okay I'll see you there then" Ryan said hanging up the phone, he was pretty sure that it wasn't Kelsi's but Sharpay's idea to get a facial, he laughed at the thought and ran to get into the shower.
Courthouse steps
Ryan began to pace back and forth on the top of the steps, he had already went inside to start to fill out the paperwork, and make sure a judge was there to perform the ceremony but the only thing missing was Kelsi
"I'm sure she'll be here soon" Troy said trying to calm Ryan down
"Yeah, you know girls they always want to make an entrance" Jason joked adjusting his tie yet again
"Kelsi doesn't make entrances, Sharpay makes entrances but not Kelsi" Ryan said running a hand through his stubble yet again, and looking down at his watch. Ten minutes later Kelsi finally pulled up in Sharpay's convertible looking beautiful "Wow!" Ryan said taking in her beauty, all Kelsi could do was blush
"Stop that" she grinned
"I would love to, but you look absolutely stunning" Ryan said taking another long look at her. Kelsi blushed again, and saw all the girls standing around talking to their respective boyfriends
"You guys clean up well." Kelsi joked as each of the guys gave her a kiss on the cheek "So shall we get this show on the road?" Kelsi asked and they headed inside the courthouse. Kelsi finished filling out her end of the paperwork, and they were all sitting around waiting for the judge to come back from a court case that he was involved in.
"So what did you guys go do while you were away?" Kelsi asked as she gently caressed Ryan's hand with her thumb
"The guys convinced me to play basketball" Ryan laughed
"Really?" Kelsi asked stunned
"Why did you say it like that?" Ryan got a little bit offended
"Well I know you're athletic but those guys can be brutal especially when it comes to basketball" Kelsi smiled
"Well you'll be happy to know," Ryan said his chest swelling and a twinkle in his eyes. "My team won"
"Well I'm proud of you." Kelsi smiled, and gave Ryan a peck on the cheek. They all sat there chatting for a good 30 minutes when the judge finally came out of the courtroom, and smiled at the couple
"So you two must be Ryan and Kelsi?" The man smiled as he shook their hands
"Yes sir, we've come to ask you to marry us" Ryan stood up with Kelsi, and smiled squeezing her hand
"Okay, that can be done if you'll just follow me into my office." The judge smiled, and made his way towards the back of the courthouse where his office was
"So you ready?" Sharpay asked as she caught up with the couple
"Hey, I was born ready" Ryan laughed and followed the judge
"All right," the judge started as he looked over the paperwork "It seems you have everything all filled out and in proper order, and you have witnesses" he laughed seeing the Wildcats and Kelsi's mom pour into the room "Do either of you want anything special? Like special wedding vows?" The judge asked and Kelsi went into her purse to pull out the page she had written
"Well I wrote one small thing down if that's okay with you Ryan?" Kelsi asked
"That's great, cause I have something written down too." Ryan laughed as he reached into his jacket pocket pulling out a piece of paper
"Okay that's great." The Judge said as he got up from his desk, and came around to where Kelsi and Ryan were sitting. "Now if you two would kindly stand up, and Mr. Evans if you would take Ms. Neilson's hand we can begin." Ryan took Kelsi's hands as he looked deep into her eyes
"I love you." he whispered
"Dearly beloved we are here to unite Kelsi Neilson, and Ryan Evans in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred vow that shall never be broken and I can see by the looks in your eyes that you will have a long, and happy life together. Now Ms. Neilson if you would like to read the vows you wrote to Ryan" The judge finished
"Ryan, in the years we've known each other we've sure been through a lot. A lot of ups, and downs, a lot of good times, and some bad times. But through it all you've been the one thing that has remained constant in my life. There was one time in my life when I felt that you were too good to be true, and that I didn't deserve someone as sweet and loving as you are, but here we stand today in front of our friends and family and I want to tell you that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know that I will never spend another day alone, or unhappy with you by my side. I love you Ryan Evans, and I vow to spend the rest of my life loving you no matter what. I give myself to you mind body and soul." Kelsi finished wiping a few tears away, and folded up the paper she read off of. She took a quick glance around the room and noticed that all the girls had started crying
"Now Mr. Evans, if you would kindly do the same." The judge smiled at Ryan
"Kelsi, after that I was going to say what I wrote, but I think I'll just wing it" Ryan smiled. "You deserve every happiness life brings you, and I vow that I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. I love everything about you, and it is you that is the best thing to ever happen to me." Ryan took a deep breath and went back into his thoughts "Kelsi, ever since Sharpay and I were little we were always told that one day the woman, or man who would be the one that we would marry would be the person we least expect. Well ever since the first day we met I knew that you would be that girl, I love you more and more every day, and like I've said before I want to spend each and every one of life's joys with you, just like the song says I just want to be with you and only you for the rest of my life Kelsi."
"Wow" the judge laughed. "Well on that note, are there rings?" He asked looking at the two of them
"Well," Ryan blushed "there is this one." He pulled out a band that matched the one he already gave Kelsi, and slipped it on her finger
"Well then by the power invested in me, and by the state of New Mexico. I now pronounce you husband and wife, now kiss her Ryan" the judge smiled as Ryan picked Kelsi up off the ground and gave her a deep kiss as the others cheered them on. The judge shook both of their hands "Now go out and enjoy the rest of the day" he said ushering them out of his office. As they walked out they all noticed Ms. Darbus standing there with a bouquet of roses in her hands
"Ms. Darbus!" Kelsi exclaimed
"Congratulations Ms. Neilson, or should I say Mrs. Evans." The older lady said embracing Kelsi in her arms, and handing her the bouquet of roses
"What are you doing here?" Kelsi asked as she stepped out of the older woman's embrace
"Well two of my favorite students are getting married, I wouldn't miss it for the world" Ms. Darbus smiled
"Thank you for being here." Ryan smiled hugging his former teacher
"Well I would of been on time but I had to take care of something, a little present from me to you." Ms Darbus smiled "Your reception, I have arranged for a small party at my place food, drink anything you guys want"
"You shouldn't have." Kelsi said on the verge of shock
"Well like I said you're my two favorite students, besides I have a caterer on speed dial for just such occasion" Alyson finished and they all made their way out to their respective cars following her out to her house. Kelsi felt like she was on cloud nine the whole ride over there, any insecurities she had felt the past week were all gone and all she could do was look over at Ryan, and repeat to herself that she was married to the man of her dreams.
It wasn't a long ride, and thy were all pulling up in Ms. Darbus' driveway before they knew it. She had not disappointed there was the sound of music coming from her house, and it had seemed that she had pulled out all the stops. They all made their way inside and were greeted by the site of food and drink (non alcoholic of course) and they all sat down to a meal.
After an hour of enjoying the company, Ryan and Kelsi made their way out Ryan's car and he pulled her close and gave her a mind blowing deep kiss.
"Wow" Kelsi said coming out of her stupor
"Your welcome Mrs. Evans" Ryan smiled
"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that" Kelsi blushed bringing Ryan back to her lips.
A/N: Okay if ya'll thought that was cheesey its fine cause so did I in a way. I already have an idea of where the next chapter is going so it shouldn't be too long till I update again. I can tell you one thing I'll be skipping ahead a few months and something will happen in the Evans family that will have a big effect on Ryan.